U.S. patent number 11,419,465 [Application Number 16/327,934] was granted by the patent office on 2022-08-23 for handheld vacuum cleaner.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited. The grantee listed for this patent is TTI (Macao Commercial Offshore) Limited. Invention is credited to Somnanritha Chan, Benson Chun Kit Cheung, Mohammed Irfan, Yao Xiyin, Alvin Au Yeuk Yuen.
United States Patent |
11,419,465 |
Yuen , et al. |
August 23, 2022 |
Handheld vacuum cleaner
Abstract
A handheld vacuum cleaner includes a main body with a handle
extending along a handle axis. The handheld vacuum cleaner also
includes a motor assembly positioned within the main body. The
handle axis intersects the motor assembly. The handheld vacuum
cleaner also includes a dirty air inlet positioned at a front of
the handheld vacuum cleaner and extending along an inlet axis. In
addition, the handheld vacuum cleaner includes a cyclonic chamber
in fluid communication with the dirty air inlet and the motor
assembly. The cyclonic chamber defines a separator axis. The inlet
axis and the separator axis intersect to form an acute angle
extending between the dirty air inlet and the cyclonic chamber. The
inlet axis and the handle axis intersect to form an obtuse angle
extending between the dirty air inlet and the handle.
Inventors: |
Yuen; Alvin Au Yeuk (Kwun Tong,
HK), Cheung; Benson Chun Kit (Kwai Chung,
HK), Irfan; Mohammed (Huntersville, NC), Chan;
Somnanritha (Charlotte, NC), Xiyin; Yao (Charlotte,
NC) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TTI (Macao Commercial Offshore) Limited |
Macau |
N/A |
MO |
|
|
Assignee: |
Techtronic Floor Care Technology
Limited (Tortola, VG)
|
Family
ID: |
1000006514626 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/327,934 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2017 |
PCT
Filed: |
February 27, 2017 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/CN2017/075004 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
February 25, 2019 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2018/036124 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
March 01, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20190183303 A1 |
Jun 20, 2019 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 26, 2016 [CN] |
|
|
201630427729.7 |
Aug 26, 2016 [CN] |
|
|
201630428523.6 |
Nov 21, 2016 [CN] |
|
|
201630563988.2 |
Nov 21, 2016 [CN] |
|
|
201630564174.0 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L
9/322 (20130101); A47L 9/1608 (20130101); A47L
5/26 (20130101); B04C 5/185 (20130101); B04C
5/04 (20130101); A47L 9/165 (20130101); A47L
9/2884 (20130101); B04C 9/00 (20130101); B04C
5/081 (20130101); A47L 9/122 (20130101); A47L
9/1666 (20130101); A47L 5/24 (20130101); B04C
2009/002 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47L
5/24 (20060101); A47L 9/32 (20060101); B04C
9/00 (20060101); A47L 9/12 (20060101); B04C
5/04 (20060101); B04C 5/081 (20060101); B04C
5/185 (20060101); A47L 9/28 (20060101); A47L
9/16 (20060101); A47L 5/26 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
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Foreign Patent Documents
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205251427 |
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WO |
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Jun 2019 |
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WO |
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Other References
ESPACENET Translation of CN205251427U (Year: 2020). cited by
examiner .
Dyson unveils `intelligent` robot vacuum cleaner, Sep. 4,
2014,Telegraph Media Group Limited (Year: 2014). cited by examiner
.
Chinese Patent Office First Office Action for Application No.
201780064952.1 dated Sep. 3, 2020 (12 pages incluidng statement of
relevance). cited by applicant .
European Patent Office Extended Search Report for Application No.
17842550.0 dated Mar. 12, 2020 (6 pages). cited by applicant .
International Search Report and Written Opinion for Application No.
PCT/CN2017/075004 dated May 8, 2017, 10 pages. cited by
applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Carter; Monica S
Assistant Examiner: Fordjour; Sarah Akyaa
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Michael Best & Friedrich
LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A handheld vacuum cleaner comprising: a main body extending
between a front and a rear, the main body including a handle
positioned at a rear of the main body and extending along a handle
axis; a motor assembly positioned within the main body above the
handle, the handle axis intersects the motor assembly; a dirty air
inlet positioned at the front of the handheld vacuum cleaner and
fixed with respect to the main body, the dirty air inlet extending
along an inlet axis; a cyclonic chamber in fluid communication with
the dirty air inlet and the motor assembly, the cyclonic chamber
defining a separator axis, wherein air from the dirty air inlet
rotates in the cyclonic chamber about separator axis; wherein the
inlet axis and the separator axis intersect to form an acute angle
extending between the dirty air inlet and the cyclonic chamber,
wherein the acute angle is within the range of 30 to 70 degrees;
and wherein the inlet axis and the handle axis intersect to form an
obtuse angle extending between the dirty air inlet and the
handle.
2. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 1, further comprising a
battery positioned between the cyclonic chamber and the handle.
3. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the main body
includes a receptacle between the cyclonic chamber and the handle,
and wherein the handheld vacuum cleaner further comprises a battery
received within the receptacle to provide power to the motor
assembly.
4. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein the battery is
inserted into the receptacle along a battery insertion axis, and
wherein the battery insertion axis intersects the separator
axis.
5. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 4, further comprising a
bottom surface upon which the handheld vacuum cleaner is configured
to be positioned on a horizontal surface, and wherein the main body
is configured such that the battery is insertable into the
receptacle through the bottom surface.
6. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 4, wherein the battery
insertion axis is parallel to the handle axis.
7. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 4, wherein the battery
insertion axis intersects the inlet axis.
8. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein the battery
insertion axis intersects the inlet axis to form an obtuse angle
extending between the dirty air inlet and the battery.
9. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the motor
assembly includes a motor defining a motor rotational axis, and
wherein the motor rotational axis intersects the inlet axis.
10. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 9, wherein the motor
rotational axis intersects the inlet axis forming an acute angle
extending between the dirty air inlet and the motor.
11. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the motor
assembly includes a motor defining a motor rotational axis, and the
inlet axis intersects the motor assembly.
12. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 9, wherein the main body
includes a receptacle, and wherein the handheld vacuum cleaner
further comprises a battery is received within the receptacle to
provide power to the motor assembly, wherein the battery is
inserted into the receptacle along a battery insertion axis, and
wherein the motor rotational axis intersects the battery insertion
axis.
13. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 1, further comprising a
bottom surface upon which the handheld vacuum cleaner is configured
to be positioned on a horizontal surface, and a battery positioned
between the cyclone chamber and the bottom surface.
14. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein the separator
axis is inclined relative to a vertical axis when the bottom
surface is placed on a horizontal surface.
15. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein the inlet axis
is within 10 degrees of horizontal when the bottom surface is
placed on a horizontal surface.
16. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the main body
includes a rear-facing surface opposite the dirty air inlet, and a
user interface positioned on the rear-facing surface.
17. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 16, wherein the user
interface varies operation of a brushroll.
18. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 17, wherein actuation of
the user interface varies operation of the brushroll between a
carpet mode, a hard floor mode, and an auto-sense mode.
19. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 1, further comprising a
wand having an end mounted to the dirty air inlet and an opposed
end mounted on a surface cleaning head.
20. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 19, wherein the dirty air
inlet and the cyclonic chamber are part of a cyclonic separator
assembly.
21. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 19, wherein the cyclonic
chamber is part of a cyclonic separator assembly having a bottom
that is openable when the wand is mounted to the dirty air
inlet.
22. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 16, wherein the inlet axis
does not intersect the handle.
23. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the cyclonic
chamber is positioned forward of the handle and further includes a
first end with an openable door and a second end opposite the first
end, wherein the cyclonic chamber is positioned such that the first
end is closer to the front than the second end.
24. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 1, further comprising a
bottom surface upon which the handheld vacuum cleaner is configured
to be positioned on a horizontal surface, wherein when the bottom
surface is positioned on the horizontal surface, the separator axis
and the horizontal surface intersect to form an acute angle
extending between the cyclonic chamber and the bottom surface.
25. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 14, wherein the separator
axis is inclined toward the rear.
26. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 1, further comprising a
bottom surface upon which the handheld vacuum cleaner is configured
to be positioned on a horizontal surface, wherein when the bottom
surface is positioned on the horizontal surface, the inlet axis
extends parallel to the horizontal surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to Chinese Design Application No.
201630428523.6, filed on Aug. 26, 2016; Chinese Design Application
No. 201630427729.7, filed on Aug. 26, 2016; Chinese Design
Application No. 201630564174.0, filed on Nov. 21, 2016; and Chinese
Design Application No. 201630563988.2, filed on Nov. 21, 2016. The
entire contents of each are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to handheld vacuum cleaners, and more
particularly, to cyclonic handheld vacuum cleaners.
SUMMARY
In one embodiment, the invention provides a handheld vacuum cleaner
including a main body with a handle extending along a handle axis.
The handheld vacuum cleaner also includes a motor assembly
positioned within the main body. The handle axis intersects the
motor assembly. The handheld vacuum cleaner also includes a dirty
air inlet positioned at a front of the handheld vacuum cleaner and
extending along an inlet axis. In addition, the handheld vacuum
cleaner includes a cyclonic chamber in fluid communication with the
dirty air inlet and the motor assembly. The cyclonic chamber
defines a separator axis. The inlet axis and the separator axis
intersect to form an acute angle extending between the dirty air
inlet and the cyclonic chamber. The inlet axis and the handle axis
intersect to form an obtuse angle extending between the dirty air
inlet and the handle.
Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by
consideration of the detailed description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner according
to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the handheld vacuum cleaner
of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner of
FIG. 1, taken along lines 3-3 shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner of
FIG. 1, shown in an in-use position with a separator axis oriented
vertically.
FIG. 5A is a partial cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum
cleaner of FIG. 1, illustrating a battery latch in a locked
position.
FIG. 5B is a partial cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum
cleaner of FIG. 1, illustrating the battery latch in a released
position.
FIG. 6 perspective view of the handheld vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1,
showing an inlet nozzle in phantom.
FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum
cleaner of FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner of
FIG. 1, with a cyclonic separator assembly partially removed from a
main body.
FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an alert transmission system for the
handheld vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1.
FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling the
handheld vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the handheld vacuum cleaner of
FIG. 1 coupled to a surface cleaning attachment according to an
embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner
and the surface cleaning attachment of FIG. 11, in a stored
position.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner
and the surface cleaning attachment of FIG. 11 in an in-use
position.
FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner
according to another embodiment of the invention.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it
is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its
application to the details of construction and the arrangement of
components set forth in the following description or illustrated in
the following drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIGS. 1-8 illustrate a handheld vacuum cleaner 10. The handheld
vacuum cleaner 10 includes a fluid flow path extending from a dirty
air inlet 14 to a clean air outlet 18. The handheld vacuum cleaner
10 also includes a main body 22 (i.e., a main housing) and a
cyclonic separator assembly 26 removably coupled to the main body
22. The cyclonic separator assembly 26 includes a cyclonic chamber
30 that defines a separator axis 34, a dirt collection region 38,
and an inlet nozzle 42 that defines an inlet axis 46. The handheld
vacuum cleaner 10 includes a front 50, a rear 54, a first lateral
side 58, a second lateral side 62, a top 66, and a bottom 70.
Similarly, the main body 22 includes a front 74, a rear 78, a first
lateral side 82, a second lateral side 86, a top 90, and a bottom
94. In the illustrated embodiment, the dirty air inlet 14 is
positioned at the front 50 of the handheld vacuum cleaner 10 and
the clean air outlet 18 is positioned on the first and second
lateral sides 58, 62 toward the rear 54 of the handheld vacuum 10.
As described in greater detail below, the dirty air inlet 14
extends along the inlet axis 46.
With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the main body 22 includes a handle 98
and a bottom surface 102 on the bottom 94, upon which the handheld
vacuum cleaner 10 is configured to be positioned on (i.e.,
supported on, rested on) a horizontal surface 106 (FIG. 3). The
handle 98 of the main body 22 extends along a handle axis 110 (FIG.
3) and includes a trigger 100. The handheld vacuum cleaner 10
further includes a motor assembly 114 positioned within the main
body 22 and operable to generate an airflow through the fluid flow
path. In particular, the motor assembly 114 includes a motor 118
with a motor shaft 122 defining a motor rotational axis 126 and a
fan 130 coupled to the motor shaft 122 for co-rotation. In the
illustrated embodiment, the handle axis 110 interests the motor
assembly 114. In addition, the motor rotational axis 126 intersects
the inlet axis 46. In other words, the inlet axis 46 intersects the
motor assembly 114. In particular, the motor rotational axis 126
intersects the inlet axis 46 forming an acute angle 134 (FIG. 3)
extending between the dirty air inlet 14 and the motor 118 (i.e.,
counter-clockwise from the inlet axis 46 as viewed from FIG. 3). In
the illustrated embodiment, the inlet axis 46 intersects the handle
axis 110 but does not intersect the handle 98.
For the purpose of the description herein, two axes intersecting to
form an angle includes two axes that are non-parallel and intersect
as viewed in at least one plane. In some embodiments, two axes
intersecting to form an angle may include two axes that are
co-planar and that intersect at a single point. In other
embodiments, the two axes intersecting to form an angle may include
two axes that are skewed with respect to each other (i.e., not
co-planar), but the axes intersect as viewed from a certain
perspective (e.g., a side view, a top view, etc.).
With continued reference to FIGS. 1-3, the handheld vacuum cleaner
10 includes a battery 138 (i.e., a removable, rechargeable battery
pack) to supply power to the motor assembly 114 and other
electrical components. The battery 138 includes a first side
surface 142 and a second side surface 146 opposite the first side
surface 142. The main body 22 includes a receptacle 150 having an
inlet 154 to receive the battery 138. In other words, the battery
138 is configured to be selectively received within the receptacle
150. As described in greater detail below, the battery 138 is
inserted into the receptacle 150, through the inlet 154, along a
battery insertion axis 158. In other words, the main body 22 is
configured such that the battery 138 is insertable into the
receptacle 150 through the bottom surface 102. In addition, at
least a portion of the battery 138 is positioned between the
cyclone chamber 30 and the bottom surface 102.
With reference to FIG. 3, the battery insertion axis 158 intersects
the separator axis 34. In addition, the battery insertion axis 158
is offset from and in some embodiments parallel to the handle axis
110. In alternative embodiments, the battery insertion axis is
along the separator axis and intersects the handle axis (e.g., FIG.
14). Also, the motor rotational axis 126 intersects the battery
insertion axis 158. Furthermore, the battery insertion axis 158
intersects the inlet axis 46. In particular, the battery insertion
axis 158 intersects the inlet axis 46 to form an obtuse angle 162
extending between the dirty air inlet 14 and the battery 138 (i.e.,
counter-clockwise from the inlet axis 46 as viewed from FIG.
3).
In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle 150 is defined by a
first wall 166, a second wall 170 opposite the first wall 166, and
a curved third wall 174 extending between the first wall 166 and
the second wall 170. In the illustrated embodiment, the first wall
166 and the second wall 170 are only connected by the third wall
174. In other words, in the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle
150 includes a first aperture 178 at the first lateral side 82 of
the main body 22 and a second aperture 182 at the second lateral
side 86 of the main body 22. Moreover, the first aperture 178 and
the second aperture 182 extend toward the receptacle inlet 154 such
that the battery 138 is graspable by a user between the installed
position (i.e., with the battery 138 fully inserted into the
receptacle 150, e.g., FIG. 5A) and the removed position (i.e., with
the battery 138 at least partially removed from the receptacle 150,
e.g., FIG. 5B). In the illustrated embodiment, the first aperture
178 and the second aperture 182 are continuous with the receptacle
inlet 154. In other words, the apertures 178, 182 and the inlet 154
form a slot that is open to the first lateral side 82 of the main
body 22, open to the second lateral side 86 of the main body 22,
and open to the bottom 94 of the main body 22. The first side
surface 142 and the second side surface 146 of the battery 138
extend parallel to the insertion axis 158 when the battery 138 is
positioned within the receptacle 150. In alternative embodiments,
the apertures 178, 182 are not continuous with the receptacle inlet
154 or are only partially continuous with the receptacle inlet 154
yet still configured for the battery to be graspable, or engaged
by, a user through the apertures, for example to aid in insertion
and removal of the battery.
When the battery 138 is positioned within the receptacle 150, each
of the first side surface 142 and the second side surface 146 of
the battery 138 are substantially exposed through the apertures
178, 182 at the respective first and second lateral sides 82, 86 of
the main body 22 such that the first and second side surfaces 142,
146 are graspable by a user. In some embodiments, the first side
surface 142 and the second side surface 146 are substantially
exposed with at least 25 percent of the surfaces 142, 146 exposed
through the apertures 178, 182 at the respective first and second
lateral sides 82, 86 of the main body 22. In other embodiments, the
first side surface 142 and the second side surface 146 are
substantially exposed with at least 50 percent of the surfaces 142,
146 exposed through the apertures 178, 182 at the respective first
and second lateral sides 82, 86 of the main body 22. In other
embodiments, the first side surface 142 and the second side surface
146 are substantially exposed with at least 75 percent of the
surfaces 142, 146 exposed through the apertures 178, 182 at the
respective first and second lateral sides 82, 86 of the main body
22. In other embodiments, the first side surface 142 and the second
side surface 146 are substantially exposed with 100 percent of the
surfaces 142, 146 exposed through the apertures 178, 182 at the
respective first and second lateral sides 82, 86 of the main body
22 (i.e., entirely exposed). As such, the battery 138 is readily
graspable by a user (i.e., at the first and second side surfaces
142, 146) when the battery 138 is positioned within the receptacle
150.
With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the battery 138 further includes a
first surface 186, a second surface 190, a third surface 194, and a
fourth surface 198 each extending between the first side surface
142 and the second side surface 146. In the illustrated embodiment,
the first surface 186 is opposite the third surface 194 and the
second surface 190 is opposite the fourth surface 198. At least one
of the first surface 186, second surface 190, and fourth surface
198 includes an electrical contact 202 that is selectively
electrically connected to a corresponding electrical contact 206
formed in the receptacle 150. In the illustrated embodiment, the
electrical contact 206 in the receptacle 150 is formed on the third
wall 174 of the receptacle 150 corresponding to the electrical
contact 202 on the first surface 186.
When the battery 138 is positioned within the receptacle 150, the
third surface 194 of the battery 138 is substantially exposed such
that the third surface 194 is in the direction of the receptacle
inlet 154 (i.e., exposed at the bottom surface 102 of the main body
22). In some embodiments, the third surface 194 of the battery 138
is entirely exposed. Alternatively, the receptacle inlet 154 may be
selectively closed by a cover or door that at least partially
covers the third surface 194 of the battery. Also when the battery
138 is positioned within the receptacle 150, the first surface 186,
the second surface 190, and the fourth surface 198 are in facing
relationship with the main body 22. More specifically, the first
surface 186 is in facing relationship with the third wall 174 of
the main body 22, the second surface 190 is in facing relationship
with the first wall 166 of the main body 22, and the fourth surface
198 is in facing relationship with the second wall 170 of the main
body 22. Moreover, when the battery 138 is positioned within the
receptacle 150, at least a portion of the battery 138 is positioned
between the cyclonic chamber 30 and the handle 98. In other words,
the receptacle 150 is formed in the main body 22 between at least a
portion of the cyclonic separator assembly 26 (e.g., the cyclonic
chamber 30) and the handle 98.
With reference to FIG. 14, a handheld vacuum cleaner 1010 according
to an alternative embodiment is illustrated. The handheld vacuum
cleaner 1010 is similar to the handheld vacuum cleaner 10, with
only the differences described herein. In particular, the handheld
vacuum cleaner 1010 includes a main body 1022 including a front
1074, a first lateral side 1082, a second lateral side 1086, a
handle 1098, and a receptacle 1150 having an inlet 1154. The
handheld vacuum cleaner 1010 also includes a motor assembly 1114
positioned within the main body 1022, a dirty air inlet 1014
positioned at a front 1050 of the handheld vacuum cleaner 1010, and
a cyclonic chamber 1030 in fluid communication with the dirty air
inlet 1014 and the motor assembly 1114. The handheld vacuum cleaner
1010 also includes a battery 1138 having a first side surface 1142
and a second side surface 1146 opposite the first side surface
1142. Similar to the battery 138, the battery 1138 is configured to
be selectively received through the receptacle inlet 1154 and
movable by a user between an installed position in the receptacle
1150 and a removed position separate from the main body 1022.
With continued reference to FIG. 14, the main body 1022 includes a
first aperture 1178 through the first lateral side 1082 aligned
with at least a portion of the battery first side surface 1142 when
the battery 1138 is positioned within the receptacle 1150. At least
a portion of the battery first side surface 1142 is viewable by a
user through the first aperture 1178 when the battery 1138 is
positioned within the receptacle 1150. The main body 1022, in some
embodiments, may include a second aperture (not shown) through the
second lateral side 1086. The second aperture may be a mirror image
of the first aperture 1178 aligned with at least a portion of the
battery second side surface 1146 when the battery 1138 is
positioned within the receptacle 1150. At least a portion of the
battery second side surface 1146 is viewable by a user through the
second aperture when the battery 1138 is positioned within the
receptacle 1150. Each of the first side surface 1142 and the second
side surface 1146 are at least 25 percent exposed at the lateral
sides 1082, 1086 of the main body 1022 when the battery 1138 is
positioned within the receptacle 1150, such that the first and
second side surfaces 1142, 1146 are graspable by a user. Similar to
the apertures 178, 182, the first aperture 1178 and the second
aperture extend toward the receptacle inlet 1154 such that the
battery 1138 is graspable by a user between the installed position
and the removed position. As such, the apertures provide a visual
indication to the user that the battery 1138 is installed within
the receptacle 1150. The battery insertion axis 1158 is along and
may be parallel to the separator axis 1034 in the alternative
handheld vacuum cleaner 1010 of FIG. 14.
With reference to FIG. 3 and the handheld vacuum cleaner 10, when
the bottom surface 102 is placed on the horizontal surface 106, the
separator axis 34 is inclined relative to a vertical axis 210. In
addition, the inlet axis 46 is within 10 degrees of horizontal when
the bottom surface 102 is placed on the horizontal surface 106. In
alternative embodiments, the inlet axis 46 is parallel with the
horizontal surface 106 when the bottom surface 102 is placed on the
horizontal surface 106.
With reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 13, the inlet axis 46 and the
separator axis 34 intersect to form an acute angle 214 extending
between the dirty air inlet 14 and the cyclonic chamber 30 (i.e.,
counter-clockwise from the inlet axis 46 as viewed from FIG. 3).
The acute angle 214 is within the range of approximately 30 degrees
to approximately 70 degrees such that when the handheld vacuum
cleaner 10 is operated in a normal operating condition (e.g., FIG.
4, FIG. 13) with the dirty air inlet 14 pointed downwardly, the
separator axis 34 is oriented vertically. In alternative
embodiments, the acute angle 214 is within a range of approximately
40 degrees to approximately 60 degrees. In further embodiments, the
acute angle 214 is within a range of approximately 45 degrees to
approximately 55 degrees. In some embodiments, the acute angle 214
is approximately 50 degrees.
With reference to FIG. 2, the main body 22 includes a rear-facing
surface 218 opposite the dirty air inlet 14. In other words, the
rear-facing surface 218 is formed on the rear 78 of the main body
22 and faces a user during operation. A user interface 222 is
positioned on the rear-facing surface 218 adjacent the handle 98.
The user interface 222 may include a button, switch, touch screen,
dial or other user-manipulative interface. In the illustrated
embodiment, the user interface 222 includes a visual indicator or
display 422 operable to display information on the user-facing
surface 218. The visual indicator 422 may be a screen, LEDs,
graphical interface, or other visual indicator. The user interface
222 is electrically connected to the battery 138 and a vacuum
controller 410 and is connected to and operable to control and
display information about features of the vacuum cleaner, for
example battery life, power setting, system performance or other
information. The user interface 222 may be connected to and
operable to control and display information about features on
attached accessory tools, such as brush motors or sensors. In the
illustrated embodiment, the user-interface 222 may be configured to
vary operation of a brushroll (e.g., brushroll 578 of FIG. 12). In
particular, activation of the user-interface 222 varies operation
of the brushroll between a carpet mode and a hard floor mode, or
between a high brushroll speed and low or off brushroll speed.
The inlet nozzle 42 is positioned at the front 50 of the handheld
vacuum cleaner 10 when the cyclonic separator assembly 26 is
coupled to the main body 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the
dirty air inlet 14 includes an inlet aperture 226 formed in the
inlet nozzle 42. As part of the dirty air inlet 14, the inlet
nozzle 42 houses a first air passage 230 (e.g., a first air tube)
and a second air passage 234 (e.g., a second air tube) downstream
of the first air passage 230. The first air passage 230 extends
along the inlet axis 46 (i.e., a first axis), and the second air
passage 234 defines a second axis 238 extending toward a cyclone
inlet 302. The first axis 46 and the second axis 238 intersect to
form an angle 242 as viewed from a vertical cross-section taken
from a lateral side (e.g., 58, 62) of the handheld vacuum cleaner
10 (e.g., FIG. 3). In the illustrated embodiment, the second air
passage 234 includes a tangential inlet 246 to the cyclonic chamber
30. In other words, the first air passage 230 extends from the
front 50, while the second air passage 234 extends toward the
bottom 70 and extends toward the first lateral side 58 toward the
cyclone inlet 302 of the handheld vacuum cleaner 10.
With reference to FIG. 3, the inlet axis 46 and the handle axis 110
intersect to form an obtuse angle 250 extending between the dirty
air inlet 14 and the handle 106. In other words, the angle 250
formed by the intersection of the inlet axis 46 and the handle axis
110 is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees, taken in
a direction from the inlet axis 46 toward the handle 98 (i.e.,
counter-clockwise from the inlet axis 46 as viewed from FIG.
3)).
With reference to FIG. 6, the inlet nozzle 42 includes an upstream
portion 254 having a first cross-sectional area 258 and a
downstream portion 262 having a second cross-sectional area 266.
The inlet nozzle 42 also includes an upstream height 270 measured
perpendicular to the inlet axis 46 and a downstream height 274
measured parallel to the separator axis 34. The downstream height
274 is larger than the upstream height 270. In some embodiments,
the downstream height 274 is at least 1.3 times larger than the
upstream height 270. Alternatively, the downstream height 274 is at
least 1.5 times larger than the upstream height 270. In some
embodiments, the downstream height 274 is in the range from 1.5 to
3 times larger than the upstream height 270. In yet another
embodiment, the downstream height 274 is at least 3 times larger
than the upstream height 270. In other words, height of the inlet
nozzle 42 increases in the downstream direction.
Generally, the upstream height 270 is measured at a location where
the inlet nozzle 42 begins increasing in height in the downstream
direction. In some embodiments, the upstream height 270 is measured
at a height 290 at the inlet 14 (i.e., at the inlet aperture 226).
In other embodiments, the upstream height 270 is measured between
the inlet 14 and the downstream height 274. In the illustrated
embodiment, the upstream end of the inlet nozzle 42 includes a
space 278 for an accessory latch (e.g., the attachment 554 of FIG.
11) and a space 282 for an electrical connection 286. In other
words, in some embodiments, the inlet nozzle 42 increases in height
in the downstream direction, throughout the entire length of the
inlet nozzle 42. In other embodiments, the inlet nozzle 42
increases in height in the downstream direction for at least a
portion of the inlet nozzle 42 length. Said another way, the inlet
nozzle height may increase in the upstream direction and in the
downstream direction, with a minimum height therebetween. In the
illustrated embodiment, the height 270 is approximately 53
millimeters. In some embodiments, the downstream height 274 is
measured where the inlet nozzle 42 and the cyclonic chamber 30 meet
(FIG. 3). In the illustrated embodiments, the downstream height 274
is approximately 90 millimeters.
With continued reference to FIG. 6, the second cross-sectional area
266 is at least 1.5 times larger than the first cross-sectional
area 258. In alternative embodiments, the second cross-sectional
area 266 is at least 3 times larger than the first cross-sectional
area 258. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the cyclonic separator
assembly 26 defines a separator height 298 (FIG. 4) that extends
along the separator axis 34, and the downstream height 274 (FIG. 3)
parallel to the separator axis 34 is greater than one half of the
separator height 298. In other words, the inlet nozzle 42 expands
in both the horizontal direction (i.e., transverse the separator
axis 34) and the vertical direction (i.e., parallel to the
separator axis 34). The increased second cross-sectional area 266
(i.e., the increased downstream height 274) provides for improved
structural integrity of the inlet nozzle 42 connection to the
remaining portions of the cyclonic separator assembly 26. In other
words, the size and shape of the inlet nozzle 42 provides improved
strength and reliability of the inlet nozzle 42 connecting to the
remaining portions of the cyclonic separator assembly 26.
The cyclonic chamber 30 is in fluid communication with the dirty
air inlet 14 and the motor assembly 114. In addition, the cyclonic
chamber 30 (i.e., the cyclonic separator) includes the cyclone
dirty fluid inlet 302, a dirt outlet 306, and a clean fluid outlet
310. In the illustrated embodiment, the cyclonic chamber 30
includes a primary cyclonic stage 314 and a secondary cyclonic
stage 318 positioned between the dirty fluid inlet 302 and the
clean fluid outlet 310 (FIG. 4). In alternative embodiments, the
cyclonic chamber 30 may include more or less than two cyclonic
stages. In particular, the cyclonic chamber 30 includes a
perforated shroud 322 through which air cleaned by the primary
cyclonic stage 314 flows through. The secondary cyclonic stage 318
is positioned downstream of the perforated shroud 322 and the
secondary cyclonic stage 318 includes a secondary dirty air
tangential inlet 326 (FIG. 4), a secondary funnel 330, and a
secondary dirt outlet 334. The air cleaned by the secondary
cyclonic stage 318 flows to the clean fluid outlet 310. In
alternative embodiments, the illustrated cyclonic chamber 30 can be
replaced with alternative dirt separators (e.g., over-the-wall
cyclonic separators, bagged separators, etc.)
As described above, the inlet axis 46 and the separator axis 34
intersect to form the acute angle 214 extending between the dirty
air inlet 14 and the cyclonic chamber 30. In other words, the angle
214 formed by the intersection of the inlet axis 46 and the
separator axis 34 is less than 90 degrees, taken in a direction
from the inlet axis 46 toward the cyclonic chamber 30 (i.e.,
counterclockwise as viewed from FIG. 3). In addition, the separator
axis 34 and the motor rotational axis 126 interest to form an
obtuse angle 342 extending between the cyclonic chamber 30 and the
motor assembly 114. In other words, the angle 342 formed by the
intersection of the separator axis 34 and the motor rotational axis
126 is in a range from about 90 degrees to 180 degrees, taken in a
direction from the cyclonic chamber 30 toward the motor assembly
114 (i.e., counterclockwise as viewed from FIG. 3). In some
embodiments, the obtuse angle 342 extending between the cyclonic
chamber 30 and the motor assembly 114 is within a range of
approximately 90 degrees to approximately 165 degrees. In
alternative embodiments, the obtuse angle 342 extending between the
cyclonic chamber 30 and the motor assembly 114 is within a range of
approximately 135 degrees to approximately 150 degrees. In further
alternative embodiments, the obtuse angle 342 extending between the
cyclonic chamber 30 and the motor assembly 114 is approximately 140
to 145 degrees.
With reference to FIG. 1, the dirt collection region 38 is
configured to receive debris from the dirt outlets 306, 334 that
has been separated in the cyclonic chamber 30. Specifically, the
dirt collection region 38 receives debris separated by the primary
cyclonic stage 314 at the dirt outlet 306 and receives debris
separated by the secondary cyclonic stage 318 at the dirt outlet
334. In the illustrated embodiment, the dirt collection region 38
includes an expanded portion 346. The dirt collection region 38
includes a bottom door 350 that is openable to empty out the dirt
collection region 38. In particular, a latch 354 secures the door
350 in a closed position and the latch 354 is actuated to pivot the
door 350 about a pivot 358 to an open position.
With reference to FIG. 7, the cyclonic separator assembly 26
further includes a pre-motor filter 362 in the fluid flow path
downstream from the cyclonic chamber 30 and upstream from the motor
assembly 114. Specifically, the pre-motor filter 362 includes an
upstream surface 366 facing the cyclonic clean fluid outlet 310 and
a downstream surface 370 opposite the upstream surface 366. The
pre-motor filter 362 is positioned within a filter chamber 374
downstream of the cyclonic clean fluid outlet 310. In the
illustrated embodiment, the motor rotational axis 126 and the
separator axis 34 intersect at or below the pre-motor filter 362.
The filter chamber 374 further includes a screen 378 and a
plurality of ribs 382 positioned between the screen 378 and the
pre-motor filter 362.
With continued reference to FIG. 7, a plenum 386 is in the fluid
flow path immediately upstream from the motor assembly 114. In the
illustrated embodiment, the plenum 386 is positioned within the
main body 22 and is immediately downstream of the pre-motor filter
362 and the screen 378. In other words, the screen 378 is
positioned between the pre-motor filter 362 and the plenum 386. The
plenum 386 is funnel-shaped and may be referred to as a bell-mouth
plenum. The plenum 386 directs the airflow from the pre-motor
filter 362 to an inlet 390 to the motor assembly 114. The inlet 390
to the motor assembly 114 is open and the screen 378 is positioned
upstream and spaced from the open motor inlet 390. In some
embodiments, the fluid flow path through the plenum 386 includes a
volumetric flow rate of at least 20 cubic feet per minute (CFM)
measured at the suction inlet (i.e., the inlet aperture 226). The
plenum 386 includes a wall portion 394 facing the downstream
surface 370 of the pre-motor filter 362. A cavity 398 is formed
between the plenum 386 and the main body 22.
With continued reference to FIG. 7, the handheld vacuum cleaner 10
further includes a sensor 402 operable to measure a characteristic
of the fluid flow path (e.g., air pressure, volumetric air flow
rate, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor 402 is
positioned on the plenum 386. Specifically, the sensor 402 is
positioned on the wall portion 394 of the plenum 386 facing the
downstream surface 370 of the pre-motor filter 362. In other words,
the sensor 402 is positioned within the cavity 398, with at least a
portion of the sensor 402 in fluid communication with the airflow
within the plenum 386 via an aperture 406 formed in the plenum 386.
In alternative embodiments, the sensor 402 may be positioned in a
different location along the air flow path. Additionally, more than
one sensor 402 may be utilized to measure one or more air flow
characteristics. As described in greater detail below, the
measurements from the sensor 402 are utilized to control the
handheld vacuum cleaner 10.
With reference to FIG. 9, a schematic of an information
transmission system 408 is illustrated. The information
transmission system 408 includes the vacuum controller 410 (e.g.,
microprocessor, etc.), the sensor 402, and a transmitter 414. As
explained in greater detail below, the handheld vacuum cleaner 10
includes the transmitter 414, which is electrically coupled to the
controller 410, and the transmitter 414 is operable to transmit a
wireless communication signal (e.g., via radio signal, wi-fi.RTM.,
Bluetooth.RTM., or any other wireless internet or network
communication) providing information to a personal device 418 of a
user. Specifically, the personal device 418 includes a device
controller 426, a receiver 430 electrically coupled to the device
controller 426, and a display 434 electrically coupled to the
controller 426. In particular, the receiver 430 is configured to
receive the information transmitted by the transmitter 414, and the
display 434 is configured to provide a display to the user in
response to the information. For example, the vacuum controller 410
monitoring the sensor 402 may provide an alert to the visual
indicator 422 and to the personal device 418 through the
transmitter 414 if the sensor indicates that the filter needs
maintenance or if the system has a clog. In some embodiments, the
personal device 418 is a cell phone. In other embodiments, the
personal device 418 is a personal computer.
With reference to FIG. 8, the cyclonic separator assembly 26 is
removable from the main body 22. In particular, the inlet nozzle
42, the cyclonic chamber 30, and the dirt collection region 38 are
removed as a single unit when the cyclonic separator assembly 26 is
removed from the main body 22. In other words, the dirty air inlet
14 and the cyclonic chamber 30 are part of the cyclonic separator
assembly 26. A release actuator 438 is configured to release the
cyclonic separator assembly 26 from the main body 22 when actuated
by a user. In the illustrated embodiment, the release actuator 438
is positioned on and accessible from the bottom 94 of the main body
22. In addition, the actuator 438 is positioned between the
cyclonic separator assembly 26 and the battery 138. Specifically,
the actuator 438 is positioned between the expanded portion 346 of
the dirt collection region 38 and the battery 138.
With reference to FIGS. 4 and 8, the release actuator 438 is
movable between a locking position (FIG. 4) that prevents removal
of the cyclonic separator assembly 26 from the main body 22, and a
released position (FIG. 8) that allows removal of the cyclonic
separator assembly 26 from the main body 22. Movement of the
actuator 438 between the locking position and the released position
is along an actuation axis 442. In the illustrated embodiment, the
actuation axis 442 is parallel to the battery insertion axis 158.
Specifically, the actuator 438 includes a user-actuated portion 446
and a locking portion 450 that engages the cyclonic separator
assembly 26 when the actuator 438 is in the locking position (FIG.
4). In particular, the locking portion 450 engages a corresponding
hook portion 454 formed on the cyclonic separator assembly 26 when
the actuator 438 is in the locking position. In addition, the
locking portion 450 includes an inclined surface 458 such that when
the cyclonic separator assembly 26 is being coupled to the main
body 22, the hook portion 454 on the cyclonic separator assembly 26
engages the inclined surface 458 to move the actuator 438 to the
released position. A spring 462 is positioned between the actuator
438 and the main body 22 to bias the actuator 438 toward the
locking position.
With continued reference to FIG. 8, a lip 466 is formed on the main
body 22 and the inlet nozzle 42 includes a corresponding notch 470.
In alternative embodiments, the lip is formed on the inlet nozzle
42 and the corresponding notch is formed on the main body 22. In
the illustrated embodiment, the lip 466 is received within the
notch 470 when the cyclonic separator assembly 26 is coupled to the
main body 22. In particular, the cyclonic chamber 30 is positioned
between the lip 466 and the actuator 438 when the cyclonic
separator assembly 26 is coupled to the main body 22. The lip 466
and the notch 470 define a pivot axis 474 about which the cyclonic
separator assembly 26 is configured to pivot with respect to the
main body 22. To secure the cyclonic separator assembly 26 to the
main body 22, the lip 466 is inserted into the notch 470 to provide
support of the cyclonic separator assembly 26 at the top 90 of the
main body 22. Then, the cyclonic separator assembly 26 is pivoted
about the axis 474 toward the main body 22 until the actuator 438
securely engages with the hook portion 454 formed on the cyclonic
separator assembly 26. Likewise, to remove the cyclonic separator
assembly 26, a user depresses the user-actuated portion 446 of the
actuator 438 to release the hook portion 454. Once released, the
cyclonic separator assembly 26 pivots about the axis 474 away from
the main body 22 and then the notch 470 is separated from the lip
466 on the main body 22. When the cyclonic separator assembly 26 is
removed from the main body 22, the downstream surface 370 of the
pre-motor filter 362 is exposed on the cyclonic separator assembly
26 and the screen 378 is exposed on the main body 22.
With continued reference to FIGS. 4 and 8 a seal 478 is made
between the main body 22 and the cyclonic separator assembly 26
when the cyclonic separator assembly 26 is coupled to the main body
22. In the illustrated embodiment, the seal 478 is the only seal
made between the cyclonic separator assembly 26 and the main body
22, thereby minimizing the potential for leaks. Compression of the
pre-motor filter 362 forms the seal 478 between the main body 22
and the cyclonic separator assembly 26. In particular, the
pre-motor filter 362 includes a circumferential face or flange 482
around an outer periphery of the pre-motor filter 362 that is
compressed to form the seal 478. The main body 22 may include a
corresponding protrusion 486 (e.g., an annular rib) that engages
the flange portion 482 of the pre-motor filter 362 when the
cyclonic separator assembly 26 is coupled to the main body 22. In
other words, the annular rib 486 compresses the face or flange 482
on the pre-motor filter 362 to create an air-tight seal between the
cyclonic separator assembly 26 and the main body 22. The face or
flange 482 may include an elastomeric surface integral with the
filter 362 forming the contacting surface to the main body.
With reference to FIGS. 5A-5B, the battery receptacle 150 includes
a latch 490 moveable between a blocking position (FIG. 5A) that
prevents removal of the battery 138 from the receptacle 150, and a
released position (FIG. 5B) that allows removal of the battery 138
from the receptacle 150. The latch 490 is a single integrally
molded part. In other words, the latch 490 elastically deforms to
move between the blocking position (FIG. 5A) and the released
position (FIG. 5B). In the illustrated embodiment, the latch 490
flexes between the blocking position and the released position as a
cantilever. The latch 490 includes a user-actuated portion 494 and
a locking portion 498 that engages the battery 138 when the latch
490 is in the blocking position. Specifically, the locking portion
498 abuts a surface 502 of the battery 138 when the latch 490 is in
the blocking position.
In addition, the latch 490 includes a fixed connection 506 secured
to the main body 22. The locking portion 498 of the latch 490 is
positioned between the fixed connection 506 and the user-actuated
portion 494. More specifically, the locking portion 498 includes a
connecting portion 510 extending to the fixed connection 506. In
the illustrated embodiment, the connecting portion 510 is
wave-shaped. The connecting portion 510 deforms when the latch 490
moves between the blocking and released portions. Optionally, the
latch 490 also includes a spring 514 formed integrally with the
latch 490 (e.g., an integrally molded spring) that pushes the latch
490 toward the blocking position. The spring 514 contacts the main
body 22 pressing the latch 490 toward the blocking position.
Additional springs, such as a spring 518 (separate from the latch
490) may be positioned between the latch 490 and the main body 22
to further position the latch 490 toward the blocking position. As
such, the connecting portion 510, the spring 514, and the spring
518 each urge the latch 490 toward the blocking position.
With continued reference to FIG. 5A, the battery receptacle 150
further includes an eject assist assembly 522 that presses the
battery 138 away from the electrical contacts 202 and out of a
position engagable by the locking portion 498. In other words, the
eject assist assembly 522 aids in the removal of the battery 138
from the receptacle 150 when the battery 138 is released from the
main body 22. In particular, the eject assist assembly 522 includes
an ejector 526 (e.g., an elastomeric cover) and a spring 530 that
pushes the ejector 526 toward the receptacle 150. The ejector 526
is configured to extend into the receptacle 150 when the battery
138 is removed from (i.e., not positioned completely within) the
receptacle 150. As such, when the user actuates the latch 490 to
release the battery 138, the ejector 526 pushes the battery 138 out
of a position engagable by the locking portion 498 so that the user
can remove the unlatched battery.
With continued reference to FIG. 5B, the battery receptacle 150 and
the battery 138 are coupled together upon insertion of the battery
138 in the receptacle 150 by a tongue and groove connection 534.
One of the fourth surface 198 and the second surface 190 is coupled
to the main body 22 with the tongue and groove connection 534 when
the battery 138 is positioned within the receptacle 150. In the
illustrated embodiment, the second surface 190 of the battery 138
includes a tongue 538 of the tongue and groove connection 534, and
the first wall 166 of the receptacle 150 includes a corresponding
groove 542 of the tongue and groove connection 534. In alternative
embodiments, the tongue is positioned on the receptacle 150 and the
groove is positioned on the battery 138.
In addition, the battery 138 includes a ramp 546 that moves the
latch 490 from the blocking position to the released position when
the battery 138 is inserted into the receptacle 150. In other
words, when the battery 138 is inserted into the receptacle 150,
engagement of the locking portion 498 with the ramp 546 causes the
latch 490 to deflect to the released position (FIG. 5B) until the
battery 138 is fully inserted. Once the battery 138 is fully
inserted into the receptacle 150, the latch 490 is biased back into
the locking state (FIG. 5A) by at least the spring 514, the spring
518, or the connecting portion 510.
Actuation of the user-actuated portion 494 deflects the locking
portion 498 to the released position (FIG. 5B). In particular, the
user-actuated portion 494 of the latch 490 is constrained by the
main body 22 to translate along a single axis 550 only. When the
user-actuated portion 494 is translated along the axis 550, in one
example sliding in a direction away from the battery, the remaining
portions of the latch 490 elastically deform or deflect such that
the locking portion 498 is moved to the released position. In the
released position (FIG. 5B), the locking portion 498 is spaced from
the surface 502 on the battery 138 disengaged from the battery. In
some embodiments, the single axis 550 is transverse to the
direction of the battery insertion axis 158. In other embodiments,
the single axis 550 is generally along the battery insertion axis
158, in which case the user-actuated portion of the latch is pulled
toward the user. Once released, the eject assist assembly 522 at
least partially ejects the battery 138 from the receptacle 150 and
the user is able to remove the battery 138 completely from the
receptacle 150. Various latch shapes may be configured to provide
elastic deformation causing the locking portion to move to the
released position when the user-actuated portion is moved in a
direction desired for the application.
With reference to FIGS. 11-13, the handheld vacuum cleaner 10 is
operable with a cleaning attachment. Specifically, the inlet nozzle
42 is selectively coupled to the cleaning attachment. In the
illustrated embodiment, the cleaning attachment is a surface
cleaning attachment 554 with a rigid wand 558 having an end 562
mounted to the dirty air inlet 14 and an opposed end 566 mounted on
a surface cleaning head 570. The wand 558 is linear and defines a
wand axis 574. The wand axis 574 is collinear with the inlet axis
46. As described above, the bottom door 350 of the cyclonic
separator assembly 26 is openable, even when the wand 558 is
mounted to the dirty air inlet 14. In alternative embodiments, the
handheld vacuum cleaner 10 is coupled to alternative cleaning
attachments (e.g., extension wands, mini surface cleaning heads,
crevice tools, etc.).
With reference to FIG. 12, the handheld vacuum cleaner 10 may be
stored with the surface cleaning attachment 554 in an upright,
stored position. With reference to FIG. 13, the separator axis 34
is vertical when the handheld vacuum cleaner 10 is attached to the
surface cleaning attachment 554 and oriented in an inclined, in-use
position. Since the separator axis 34 is vertical when the handheld
vacuum cleaner 10 is in the in-use position (FIGS. 4 and 13), the
effectiveness of the cyclonic chamber 30 during use (i.e.,
operation) is improved. In other words, operation of the cyclonic
chamber 30 is improved when the separator axis 34 remains vertical
during use (i.e., when the handheld vacuum cleaner 10 is being used
as a handheld (FIG. 4), or with a surface cleaning attachment 554
(FIG. 13)).
With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 12, the inlet nozzle 42
includes the electrical connection 286 proximate the dirty air
inlet 14. The electrical connection 286 provides electrical power
to the cleaning attachment. In the illustrated embodiment, the
electrical connection 286 provides electrical power to rotate a
brushroll 578 positioned within the surface cleaning head 570. In
alternative embodiments, the electrical connection 286 may provide
electrical power to a light, sensor, or other electrical components
in the cleaning attachment.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the trigger 100 actuates a
micro-switch in electrical communication with the vacuum controller
410. Upon user activation of the trigger 100, the micro-switch
provides an electrical output to the controller 410 signaling for
the controller to activate the vacuum. The vacuum controller may be
configured to provide power while the user holds the trigger
against the micro-switch. In one embodiment, the controller 410 is
programmed to identify two actuations of the trigger within a short
period, for example, two actuations of the trigger within 1 second,
or 1.5 second, or 2 second, indicating a double tap of the trigger.
When the vacuum controller receives a double tap of the trigger,
the vacuum controller provides power without the user holding the
trigger, remaining on until the user actuates the trigger
again.
As such, the controller 410 includes instructions for a method of
controlling the handheld vacuum cleaner 10 that includes monitoring
a user activated switch (i.e., the trigger 100 and/or the
micro-switch), and activating the motor 118 providing airflow along
the fluid flow path while the user activated switch is activated.
The method further includes determining when the user activated
switch is activated by a user twice within a predetermined period
of time (i.e., 1 second, 1.5 seconds, 2 seconds, etc.), and
continuously activating the motor without further activation of the
user activated switch upon determining the user activated switch
has been activated twice within the predetermined period of time.
The method further includes deactivating the motor 118 upon the
next activation of the user activated switch. In other words, when
the user activated switch is activated twice in the predetermined
period of time, the motor 118 will operate continuously until the
user activates the user activated switch a third time.
In operation, upon user activation of the trigger 100, the battery
138 provides power to the motor 118 to rotate the fan 130,
generating a suction airflow drawn through the inlet nozzle 42
along with debris. The airflow, entrained with debris, travels into
the cyclonic chamber 30 where the airflow and debris rotate about
the separator axis 34. Rotation of the airflow and debris in the
primary cyclonic stage 314 causes the debris to separate from the
airflow and the debris is discharged through the dirt outlet 306.
The separated debris then falls from the dirt outlet 306 into the
dirt collection region 38. The clean air travels through the
perforated shroud 322 into the secondary cyclonic stage 318 where
debris is separated from the airflow and the debris is discharged
through the dirt outlet 334 into the dirt collection region 38. The
clean airflow then travels through the cyclonic clean air outlet
310 to the filter chamber 374, where the airflow then travels
through the pre-motor filter 362. Downstream of the pre-motor
filter 362 the airflow is routed by the plenum 386 to the input 390
to the motor assembly 114. After traveling through the motor
assembly 114, the airflow is exhausted from the handheld vacuum
cleaner 10 through the clean air outlet 18 formed in the main body
22.
After using the handheld vacuum cleaner 10, the user can open the
door 350 to empty the dirt collection region 98. After several
uses, debris may have collected on, for example, the shroud 322 or
generally within the cyclonic chamber 30. If so, the user can
remove the cyclonic separator assembly 26 from the main body 22 by
depressing the actuator 438. Removing the cyclonic separator
assembly 26 from the main body 22 provides improved access to the
cyclonic chamber through either the filter chamber 374 or the
bottom door 350.
As described above, the sensor 402 measures a characteristic of the
airflow and is used in a method 582 of controlling the handheld
vacuum cleaner 10 (FIG. 10). The method 582 includes measuring a
pressure value of the airflow through the fluid flow path (step
586). Specifically, measuring the pressure value of the airflow is
measured downstream of the pre-motor filter 362, within the plenum
386. The method 582 also includes determining whether the pressure
value exceeds a predetermined threshold, which is indicative of a
clog within the fluid flow path (step 590). When the pressure value
exceeds the predetermined threshold, the method 582 includes
alerting a user of the vacuum cleaner (step 594). Alerting the user
at step 594 includes transmitting an alert to the personal device
418 (e.g., cell phone, personal computer, etc.) of the user and,
optionally, providing to the personal device information
identifying to the user a plurality of possible clog locations
along the fluid flow path on the display 434. In some embodiments,
transmitting an alert to the personal device 418 is transmitted
with direct vacuum-to-device wireless data communication (e.g.,
Wi-Fi.RTM., Bluetooth.RTM., or other radio signal). In other
embodiments, transmitting an alert to the personal device 418 is
transmitted via wired or wireless internet or network
communication. The alert also includes instructions for the user to
clean the possible clog locations along the fluid flow path to
remove the clog, which are illustrated on the device display 434.
Alerting the user further includes activating the visual indicator
422 positioned on the handheld vacuum cleaner 10. In some
embodiments, the method 582 may further include the step of
disabling the airflow through the fluid flow path when the pressure
value exceeds the predetermined threshold. In some embodiments, the
controller 426 is executing instructions in the form of an
application program (a.k.a. an app), which enables the user to
interface with the handheld vacuum cleaner 10 through the display
434.
Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in
the following claims.
* * * * *